About Us:

Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan.  Once the heart of a commercial fishing village, the structures and docks are real places where people can walk through, see and feel a connection to Lake Michigan’s fishing heritage. 

The Fishtown Preservation Society (FPS) was originally created in 2001 through the efforts of local citizens dedicated to promoting and preserving the historical and fishing heritage of Fishtown.  In 2004, the Carlson Family decided to sell Fishtown and hoped to sell it to an entity which would preserve it.  The Society soon after became a vehicle for the community to acquire Fishtown.  In June 2006, the Society reached an agreement to purchase Fishtown for the amount of $2.8 million for the Fishtown real estate and $200,000 for the two fishing boats, and related fishing licenses and equipment from the Carlsons. 

On February 7, 2007, thanks to the outpouring of support from individuals and foundations, FPS announced it had acquired Fishtown.  The Society now seeks to raise an additional $2 million to complete the necessary payments for the property and to move forward with plans to maintain and preserve Fishtown’s historical structures and to develop educational and interpretive programs.